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Trane Honors UCM with Leadership Award for ESCO Project

Contact: Mike Greife
WARRENSBURG, MO (Feb. 11, 2011) – The University of Central Missouri recently received the Energy Efficiency Leader in Education Award from Trane in recognition of the university’s nationwide leadership in completing an energy savings initiative on the Warrensburg campus.

Mike Gates, vice president of contracting solutions for Trane, presented the award to Betty Roberts, vice president for administration and finance, and UCM President Charles Ambrose, during a ceremony Feb.5 on the UCM campus.

Presenting the Energy Efficiency Leader in Education Award to UCM President Charles Ambrose, second from right, and Betty Roberts, second from left, vice president for finance and administration, were Mike Gates, left, vice president for contracting solutions for Trane, and Trey Fruge, right, Trane district manager.

The energy savings initiative was kicked off in May 2009 with Trane as the energy services contractor, marking the university’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and generating significant energy savings through infrastructure upgrades to 26 buildings. The $36.1 million project, which resolved more than $20 million in deferred maintenance projects for the university, will result in anticipated energy savings of more than $735,000 annually, which will, in turn, fund the project. According to Trane, the improvements are expected to generate a 31 percent reduction in annual energy and maintenance costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 7, 541 metric tons.

Ambrose noted that the project was an example of true collaboration between the all constituencies of the campus community the contractors who completed the work.

“I appreciate the dedication and commitment that it took at all levels to make this a reality,” he said.

Roberts noted that the project was the result of the commitment of the university’s board of governors and administration, who had the foresight to see the long-range benefits the project offered.

“In addition to the energy saved, this project has made a significant difference in the learning, teaching and work environment on the UCM campus,” she said. “It took the cooperation of the entire campus and our many partners to make it happen. This project will provide a legacy for UCM for years to come.”

Also present was Louisa Plotnick, North American project manager for the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Climate Initiative, who said the CCI has shared UCM’s success with the energy savings initiative with the leadership of other cities and universities, and the response has been very positive.

She called the UCM project “an example of driving a vision forward to progress. Other universities across the country are making plans for these projects, but UCM took action. The initiative shown by UCM has set the stage for others to follow.”

Missouri Sen. David Pearce, 31st District, praised the university’s ability to create a project resulting in significant savings and reduction in energy use, particularly in a time when state funding for higher education has dwindled. He noted that it had been 10 years since UCM had received capital improvements funding.

“It took the initiative of a lot of people for UCM to move forward with a project like this,” he said. “It was bold, exciting and creative. On behalf of the Senate, I want to say we are encouraged by UCM’s creativity and vision, and we will be watching what goes on here in the future.”